A total of 883,002 tourist arrivals were recorded in the eastern Mediterranean island of Cyprus during the first six months of 2009, a 10.8 percent plunge compared to the same period last year, the Statistical Service announced on Wednesday.

In June alone, a sizeable year-on-year decline of 15.1 percent was recorded as a result of the financial crisis and following recession in Europe.

A sharp decrease of 19.5 percent was recorded in tourist arrivals from Britain, Cyprus' traditional market, while 18.8 percent less tourists came from Russia.

On the other hand, there were 11.8 percent more tourist arrivals from Finland.

(Xinhua News Agency?July 16, 2009)